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11/6/24 Hometown Broadcasting Sports Wednesday

6 November 2024 Sports


The Packers have made a move prior to the 2024 NFL trade deadline.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoportfirst reported Green Bay traded pass-rusher Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In exchange, Green Bay receives a 2025 seventh-round pick.

The Packers later confirmed the transaction.

General manager Brian Gutekunst spoke with local media following the trade deadline and thanked Smith for his time in Green Bay.

“In 2019 we signed four guys and you never really know how that will shake out, but for him to be here five and a half years later and produce like he’s produced…we’re really appreciative,” Gutekunst said. “Wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

A 10-year NFL veteran, Smith was drafted by Washington in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Smith spent four seasons with the team before signing with the Packers in 2019.

In 2022, Smith signed a four-year, $52.5 million extension with the Packers through the 2026 season.

In his first five seasons in Green Bay, Smith had 41.5 sacks. In nine starts for the Packers this season, Smith registered 2.5 sacks.

In week one against the Philadelphia Eagles inSão Paulo, Brazil, Smith had a season-high 54 defensive snaps. That number dropped significantly in last Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions, with Smith registering a season-low 21 snaps.

Smith missed one game for the Packers in 2021, which is the only game he’s missed in his NFL career so far. With Smith’s departure, Rashan Gary becomes the Packers’ most veteran defensive end. The 26-year-old is in the midst of his sixth season in the league.

Along with Gary, the Packers other pass rushers include Kingsley Enagbare, Arron Mosby, Lukas Van Ness and Brenton Cox Jr.
Gutekunst admitted the pass rush has been quite at the level he would like to see, but believes it will get there.

The Packers have a roster spot to fill after trading Smith, which Gutekunst said could be filled by one of their players currently on injured reserve.

The Packers failed to force a turnover against the Lions, but they still have an NFL-leading 19 takeaways. … Green Bay is averaging 154.8 yards rushing per game to rank fifth in the NFL. The Packers have rushed for 1,393 yards, their highest total through nine games since 2003, when they had 1,475.

The Packers have committed 13 turnovers. Through Sunday, the only teams with more turnovers were Las Vegas (19), Tennessee (17), Carolina (15) and Seattle (15). … Love has thrown 10 interceptions in 240 pass attempts. He was picked off on 11 of his 579 passes last season. Also, dropped passes have been a problem, most notably on Sunday.

S Xavier McKinney is tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions. . RB Josh Jacobs has rushed for 762 yards, good for third in the league and WR Jayden Reed has caught 36 passes for 620 yards while also rushing for 110 yards on 11 carries. … TE Tucker Kraft’s five touchdown catches are the second most among tight ends. San Francisco’s George Kittle has six.

Although CB Eric Stokes has come back from the injuries that limited him to nine games in 2022 and three in 2023, the 2021 first-round pick’s role has diminished. His playing time had dipped significantly until Sunday, when Green Bay’s secondary was missing CB Jaire Alexander and S Evan Williams due to injuries. DL Kenny Clark hasn’t recorded a sack this season after having a career-high 7 1/2 last year.

Coach Matt Lafleur said Monday that TE Luke Musgrave has undergone ankle surgery. LaFleur said Musgrave “will hopefully be back later this season.” The 2023 second-round pick went on injured reserve on Oct. 11.

After their week off, the Packers play at Chicago on Nov. 17. The Packers have won their last 10 meetings with the Bears.

The Northwoods League has announced that the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders have received the 2024 Northwoods League Video Production Team of the Year Award.

Northwoods League teams offer, what many consider to be, one of the best sports broadcasting developmental opportunities available. Each team hires video production crew members who have aspirations in sports broadcasting, many of whom are seeking their degrees from excellent college broadcasting and media programs in pursuit of a successful career in the broadcasting industry.

“I want to congratulate the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders organization on receiving this award and thank them for all the hard work they put in to win this award,” said Glen Showalter, President of the Great Plains Division. “To excel in all facets of video production it takes time and effort during the winter and spring months to properly prepare, and daily efforts and leadership during the season. It’s competitive and it’s an achievement to shine above the other twenty-four video production teams in the Northwoods League. Great work.”


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